Contact: Brian Harter FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Phone: (614) 466-6650 February 8, 2010 E-mail: [email protected]

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR THE OHIO WOMEN’S HALL OF FAME

COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) announced today that nominations are being accepted for the 2010 Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame. Established in 1978, the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame recognizes the outstanding contributions Ohio women have made to their state and nation.

“The Women’s Hall of Fame recognizes Ohio women who have enriched our state and made significant contributions at local, national and international levels,” said ODJFS Director Douglas Lumpkin. “These women have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to excellence, achievement and service to others.”

Nearly 400 women have been inducted over the years, including award-winning author Toni Morrison, activist Gloria Steinem and sharp-shooter Annie Oakley. Nominees must have been born in Ohio or lived in Ohio a minimum of five years. They are evaluated on the scope and impact of their achievements and the extent to which they inspired other women.

“Celebrating the accomplishments of women, both past and present, is important for us to understand the various contributions women have made to our society,” said Hollie Hinton, director of the Governor’s Office for Women’s Initiatives and Outreach, which is accepting the applications. “Each year, the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame induction presents us with the opportunity to highlight extraordinary women and preserve record of their remarkable stories for future generations. We are proud to celebrate and recognize their outstanding achievements through the Women’s Hall of Fame.”

The Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame program is administered through a partnership between the Ohio Department of Development, ODJFS, the Ohioana Library Association, Ohio Women Inc. and the Governor’s Office for Women’s Initiatives and Outreach. Nominations are reviewed by a selection committee and then forwarded to Governor Ted Strickland for confirmation.

Nomination Criteria

All nominations must include the following:

• A description of all significant accomplishments. • An explanation of the uniqueness of the nominee’s contributions to the course of history to impact past, present or future generations, and how they provided an example for others.

• An account of how the achievement is or was unprecedented, unequaled, a first for women or an inspiration to others. • A chronological listing of significant awards received by the nominee. Selection criteria and a nomination form are available online at http://jfs.ohio.gov/women/. Nomination forms must be returned no later than June 1 and should be submitted to the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame, Governor’s Office for Women’s Initiatives and Outreach, 77 South High Street, 30th floor, Columbus, Ohio 43202. They can also be e-mailed to [email protected] or faxed to (614) 466-9354.

New members will be inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame this fall in Columbus. The induction ceremony is free and open to the public. More details about the ceremony time and location will be forthcoming.

Other inquiries regarding the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame Program can be made by calling the Ohio Department of Development, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Division, at (614) 466- 2718 or the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services at (614) 644-0775.

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